Category Archives: Tourism

New phone app to reward shoppers and boost local business

November 25, 2019

A free mobile phone app aimed at promoting local businesses and rewarding their customers is on trial on Redlands Coast.

The Redlands Coast Deals and Rewards App is an initiative of Redland City Council to encourage residents and visitors to shop locally and earn rewards in the process.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams has urged businesses and residents to get on board and start using the app.

“We know Redlands Coast retailers already offer great value and exceptional services to shoppers but with this app, they can offer even more in return for customer loyalty,” she said.

“Shoppers earn points for each purchase and these can be used to unlock further in-store deals, redeem prizes and enter competitions.

“Using a smartphone to shop is becoming increasingly popular, so this easy to use app is a win for everyone.

“Shoppers can set up notifications to their phone so when they travel past a business they will receive an alert about the deals being done in-store.

“We believe it’s one of the first apps of its type to be delivered by a Council to businesses across an entire local government area.”

The app is easy to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play and will also give shoppers a local business directory and information on how to enter competitions.

Cr Williams said all information collected by the app would remain private.

“All data will be securely stored and only used to offer deals and other services to the user,” she said.

“It’s free for businesses to sign up for the initial three month trial and discover the world of benefits the app will bring them and their business on our naturally wonderful Redlands Coast.”

Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce president Rebecca Young has urged business to support the new initiative.

“The app is a positive addition to our business community, giving the opportunity for retailers to connect not only to potential customers but to one another,” she said.

“We would encourage all businesses to engage in the app to use it as a useful marketing tool.”

For further details, visit Council’s website.

Moreton Bay Cycleway extension opens

November 15, 2019

This week marked a high point for Redlands Coast cyclists and recreational trail users, with the completion of Stage 1 of a multi-million dollar extension to Moreton Bay Cycleway.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Stage 1 was part of a multi-stage cycleway extension jointly funded by Council and the Queensland Government, due for completion by mid-2020.

“Today’s opening of Stage 1 of the Moreton Bay Cycleway Extension Project sees an additional 850m of pathways and boardwalk added to this much-loved community asset,” Cr Williams said.

“A 3m wide cycleway now links to existing networks at Cameron Court Park and School Road, Victoria Point.

“Section 2 works, providing a link from School Road through Orana Street Park to Lakefield Drive, will start soon and include a further 350m of boardwalk and 360m concrete footpath, or a total extension of 710m.

“Section 3 is the final link of the network and will see an on-road link via Lakefield Drive and we hope to have the entire project completed and open for public use by mid-2020.

“This newly-opened section, and the stages to follow soon, will provide important linkages between existing bike paths and will greatly improve usability, accessibility and overall visitor experience.”

The $1.83 million Moreton Bay Cycleway Section 1 project is funded equally by Council and State through their 2018-19 Cycle Network Local Government Grants Program.

Deputy Mayor and Division 4 Councillor Lance Hewlett said a trip along the newly-completed section of the cycleway offered a great recreational experience.

“We now have a new way for people to enjoy natural assets and connect across our City, with residents and visitors soon being able to pedal from Cleveland to Victoria Point along the Moreton Bay Cycleway,” Cr Hewlett said.

“There are some beautiful vantage points along the way, with the Stage 1 winding through Point Halloran Conservation Area.”

State Member for Redlands Kim Richards said Queensland State Government was delighted to partner with Council on this exciting project.

“We want to see people heading outdoors and enjoying recreational and health benefits, and State Government has been proud to support Council in delivering this cycleway,” Ms Richards said.

“Moreton Bay Cycleway provides high quality and safe cycling infrastructure and this project is an example of what can be achieved through collaboration.”

Mayor Karen Williams, Deputy Mayor and Division 4 Councillor Lance Hewlett and Member for Redlands Kim Richards join community members at stage 1 of the Moreton Bay Cycleway extension

Koala selfie statue wins art challenge

October 1, 2019

The popularity of selfies is behind the winning entry in Redland City Council’s Koalas in Design art challenge.

The competition focused on promoting the importance of koala conservation and how students could help protect them, with winners presented with their awards at the Redland Performing Arts Centre (RPAC) by Mayor Karen Williams.\

The overall winner was an entry from Wellington Point State High School students, who tapped into the digital selfie photo craze to promote the message of koala protection.

It features an oversized koala sculpture with its legs acting as a seat on which people can sit and take a selfie to share on social media to encourage cyberspace conversations about koalas.

Two runners’ up awards went to Cailin Baynton from Victoria Point State High School for a sculpture design titled ‘How much can a koala bare’ and Lili Leaney from Cleveland District State High School for her mural design called ‘The only tree’.

Cr Williams said all the entries were thought provoking.

“Redlands Coast young artists have used this challenge to showcase their talents to promote ways to protect our region’s koalas,” Cr Williams said.

“The conservation of our koalas is a priority for the whole of Council but we also need to tap into the younger generation to get their ideas as well.

“The quality of the entries we received demonstrates not only the wealth of creative talent across Redlands Coast but also that our younger residents share our goals of keeping koalas safe and healthy.

“I know judges had a tough time selecting a winner and I commend all the entrants on their great efforts.”

The winning team will now work with an artist at RPAC to bring the sculpture to life and it will become part of Redland City Council Art Assets for placement in the city at a site yet to be decided.

All entries in the challenge will be on display at RPAC until October 31.

Minjerribah (Straddie) place markers share Quandamooka storylines

August 30, 2019

Quandamooka artists Delvene Cockatoo-Collins and Belinda Close have unveiled the concepts for their public art place markers at Mulumba (Point Lookout) and Pulan (Amity Point) at Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island).

The artists’ works share Quandamooka culture and storylines that are thousands of years old and will allow all those who experience them, whether visitor or local, to learn about the ancestral connections between people and place, expressed by the artists who are of the place.

“Redland City Council is working in collaboration with Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) and the artists to create place markers of cultural significance at Point Lookout and Amity Point, as part of the Queensland Government’s economic transition strategy, called Minjerribah Futures, for North Stradbroke Island,” Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said.

“The artists have captured perfectly the timeless links of the eugarie shell (at Mulumba) and sea eagle (at Pulan) to the Quandamooka people.

“Besides being an important acknowledgement of Quandamooka culture, we know that international visitors to Australia – as well as visitors from closer to home – want to experience Aboriginal culture.

“At Redlands Coast we are fortunate to have an ever-increasing range of incredible Quandamooka cultural tourism experiences on offer which are attracting visitors to the area. These place markers will add to the experiences on offer and contribute to valuable cultural learnings.”

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the place markers were among more than 20 projects being delivered by the Queensland Government as the island moved towards a new future as a globally recognised cultural and eco-tourism destination.

“Over the next two years we are investing $25 million to create jobs on Minjerribah,” Ms Jones said.

“As well as these public artworks, there will be a landmark contemporary arts centre, better walking and recreational tracks, a new education exchange, more aged care beds, Yalingbila Bibula (whale on the hill) and a master plan for Goompi (Dunwich).”

Delvene said of her design: “The eugarie is symbolic of people coming together. They mark places of gathering for Quandamooka people and the new place marker honours those places of gathering, those who gathered and will mark the place of ongoing gatherings.

“Where they are placed allows the viewer to walk through and around – feeling the texture of the weathered shell.”

At Amity Point, artist Belinda Close shares the story of Mirriginpah, the sea eagle.

“The work depicts the eagle soaring above in search of food and is of great cultural significance to the Quandamooka people,” Belinda said.

“Mirriginpah is an important yuri and helper for the community and Quandamooka people recognise its connection with sea country.

“It is a storyline of the sea eagle alerting the Quandamooka people to the start of the mullet season.”

Redland City Division 2 Councillor Peter Mitchell welcomed the artworks as impressive new attractions for Minjerribah.

“These place markers will have the potential to become iconic statements, bringing together some of the Island’s iconic animals with their Quandamooka spiritual stories – these stunning sculptures will undoubtedly be photographed by visitors and shared around the world,” Cr Mitchell said.

Belinda’s art, which also acts as a weather vane, will be installed at Cabarita Park, Pulan.

The Mulumba (Point Lookout) place marker will be installed at the Gorge Walk trail head, opposite the shops.

The place markers will also include information on the story behind each work of art as well as vertical location signage elements that can easily be seen from the road and include dual Quandamooka naming for Point Lookout (Mulumba) and Amity Point (Pulan).

The place marker project is being funded by the Queensland Government’s Minjerribah Futures program, with Redland City Council leading the project and Quandamooka Yoollooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation contracted to deliver the artworks.

Council is leading community engagement on the designs. This has included engaging with the community at the Point Lookout Markets at the Minjerribah Futures stand, as well as meeting individually with business owners and key groups across the island in July.

The works will be installed later this year.

For more information or to have your say on the designs, visit the project page on Council’s Your Say site.

$34.1 million Southern Islands passenger ferry terminal upgrade

August 6, 2019

Redland City Council and the Queensland Government are a step closer to a $34.1 million upgrade of Redlands Coast’s four Southern Island passenger ferry terminals.

Council has welcomed a State Government offer to design and co-fund with Council the long-awaited rebuild of the terminals and will now commence negotiations for a Deed of Agreement with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR).

Mayor Karen Williams said the State’s offer followed negotiations over many months with TMR and Translink to upgrade the passenger ferry terminals at Russell, Macleay, Lamb and Karragarra islands.

“Council has been determined to negotiate a deal that best serves the interests of island residents and visitors to use these terminals well into the future,” she said.

“The upgrade of the Russell Island ferry terminal will be given top priority, because of the condition of the facility, with sequencing of the other upgrades determined during the planning phase.”

“The State and Council are working together to share the construction costs, ensuring this vital infrastructure provides reliable and safe transport for our Southern Islands.

“This infrastructure is the lifeblood of the communities they service and it is great to see Council and the State partnering to upgrade it.

“Unlike most residents, these communities have no other transport options available to them.”

Redland City Councillor for Division 5 Mark Edwards welcomed the development of a partnership and said the project had many benefits for the four island communities.

“We know these communities rely on this infrastructure to access everything from employment to critical health services and this project will enhance commuter safety, as well as improve access to these vital services” he said.

“Council is keen to work with TMR to develop an operating model that ensures the long-term viability of this significant community infrastructure.”

Member for Redlands Kim Richards said the ferry terminal upgrades were not only a vital piece of infrastructure for local residents, but important destination experiences to showcase arrival to our magnificent Redlands Coast islands.

“The $34.1 million upgrades to the terminals were a significant investment by both State Government and Redland City Council and is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate on delivering for our island communities.”

National Tree Day planting targets 2000

July 23, 2019

Redland City Council is calling on all willing hands to help plant 2000 native plants this Sunday 28 July as part of National Tree Day celebrations.

The family tree planting day, from 9am – 11am at Orana Street Park, Victoria Point, will offer the added incentives of a barbeque and a free native plant at the end of the day for volunteers to plant in their own backyards.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the annual National Tree Day plantings were a crucial component of Council’s city-wide conservation program and made a lasting difference to the natural habitats of Redlands Coast.

“The National Tree Day event is a wonderful example of what can be achieved by people power and combined community effort,” Cr Williams said.

“Not only will people be helping local wildlife, but a great time can be had being in the outdoors, working with other green thumbs of all ages.

“This will be our Bushcare program’s 19^th National Tree Day event, with more than 100 volunteers joining us for the planting each year.”

Division 4 Councillor, Deputy Mayor Lance Hewlett said the Orana Street Park planting would improve and expand wildlife habitat and assist to improve the water quality of the local waterway.

“National Tree Day 2019 will be another great family event and people can come back in the years ahead and enjoy seeing the positive impact of their efforts,” he said.

National Tree Day planting details:

When: Sunday 28 July 2019, 9am–11am

Where: Orana Street Park, Victoria Point (off street parking available at Point Halloran Reserve).

What to bring: enclosed shoes, sun protection and drinking water

Council supplies: Plants, tools, sunscreen, insect repellent and gardening gloves.

FREE kids’ activities, sausage sizzle, displays, certificates for kids, and a take home native plant.

For details on this and other environmental initiatives and activities on Redlands Coast, visit the IndigiScapes website.

Redlands Coast served on a plate at Regional Flavours festival

July 17, 2019

The naturally wonderful tastes of Redlands Coast will be served up at Australia’s largest free food and wine festival, to be held at Brisbane’s South Bank Parklands from 10am-5pm on 20-21 July.

The 11^th annual Regional Flavours festival supports Queensland farmers and small businesses, offering a weekend of delicious food, wine, beer and fun.

There will be celebrity chefs and cooking demonstrations, live music, street stalls, kids’ activities and a thriving producer market featuring more than 80 stalls.

Redlands Coast icons Sirromet Wines, Wellington Point Farm, Bacchus Brewing Co La Bouche, Mount Cotton Organic Fruit and Vege, Bayside Seafood, Rufus King Seafoods, Gisler’s Bakery, Orchy Fruit Juices and Redland Bay Honey will be showcased at the event.

Mayor Karen Williams said Redlands Coast had much to offer food and wine lovers.

“We want to draw the focus to our region’s quality food, wine, beer, and fresh produce,” she said.

“Locally-grown produce, delicious food, exquisite wine and wares will be showcased to the more than 90,000 people predicted to attend the Regional Flavours festival.

“Redlands Coast foodie ambassador and MasterChef runner-up Georgia Barnes – a Redlands Coast resident – will be there with the inside scoop on the freshest local ingredients for roasted strawberry ice cream sundaes and stunningly simple, dressed oysters.

“Private Chefs of Brisbane will be serving Moreton Bay mornay arancini skewers and Redlands Coast creamy seafood chowder with fresh seafood provided by Bayside Seafood, Wellington Point, with the chowder served in a crusty cob loaf from Gisler’s Bakery, Cleveland.

“The sitting will be topped off with Redlands Coast loaded strawberries sourced from Wellington Point Farm and refreshing juice from Redlands Coast’s own Orchy Fruit Juices at Thornlands.

“La Bouche will be serving up delicious meringues, beer brownies, strawberry jam and cherry tomato chutney, with the meringues infused with Redland Bay honey, Wellington Point Farm strawberries, kaffir lime leaves grown at Thornlands and lavender from Wellington Point.”

Cr Williams said Council saw the festival as a great opportunity to showcase Redlands Coast and a small taste of some of what makes the region so special.

Redlands Coast ambassador and MasterChef runner up Georgia Barnes with Executive Chef, Private Chefs of Brisbane Brendan Ward at Wellington Point Farm.

New public art banners bring Libby Harward exhibition outdoors

June 4, 2019

The latest temporary art banners in Redland City Council’s public art program have been revealed today, with works by artist Libby Harward installed as part of Quandamooka Festival and NAIDOC Week 2019 celebrations.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the pieces were an extension of Already Occupied: Libby Harward, on display at Redland Art Gallery, Cleveland from 30 June – 1 September 2019, and would take the exhibition to a wider audience.

“Libby Harward is a Quandamooka artist and descendent of the Ngugi people from Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) who employs humour, language and stunning imagery to spark conversations about Country and her connection to it,” Cr Williams said.

“Her Already Occupied: Libby Harward series shares a thought-provoking message with the community.

“By taking some of these works to three very prominent outdoor locations, we hope they will be seen by many more people and reach new audiences.”

The works Ngugi Bajara (Footprint) – Mulgumpin, Ngugi Bambara (Pathway) – Mulgumpin and Ganngalanji – Re-calling will be featured across three installations – two in Cleveland and one on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah).

Cr Williams said the public art banners provided a connection between North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) and the mainland during the Quandamooka Festival and upcoming NAIDOC celebrations.

“These installations are the latest in our Creative Arts Redlands’ Public Art Program, and we are proud to share Libby’s artworks, and these visual representations of her experiences, with all on Redlands Coast.

“It is wonderful to see them presented on the mainland and on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) as part of the Quandamooka Festival program.”

Libby Harward began her career as a solo street artist under the pseudonym ‘Mz Murri Cod’ in 2003, continuing, through her personal art practice, to deepen her connection with her Indigenous culture.

Already Occupied is an ongoing art project by Harward which asserts Aboriginal sovereignty through temporary installations on Country.

Where to see the banners:

• Ngugi Bajara (Footprint) – Mulgumpin (detail) 2018: Harold Walker Jetty, Dunwich, North Stradbroke Island
• Ngugi Bambara (Pathway) – Mulgumpin (detail) 2018: exterior, Council Administration Building, Middle Street, Cleveland (next to Redland Art Gallery main entrance)
• Ganngalanji – Re-calling (detail) 2018: Redland Performing Arts Centre (exterior facing Shore Street), Cleveland

For details on Already Occupied: Libby Harward and other Redland Art Gallery events and exhibitions visit the Redland Art Gallery website.

Quandamooka artists to create iconic township place markers on Minjerribah

June 3, 2019

Belinda Close and Delvene Cockatoo-Collins have been announced as the artists tasked with designing new place markers to the townships of Amity Point (Pulan Pulan) and Point Lookout (Mooloomba), on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah).

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the appointment of the two prominent Quandamooka artists was a milestone in the project, with concept designs to go out for community comments when the concepts were completed.

“Redland City Council, as lead for this exciting project, has contracted Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) to design and install Quandamooka-inspired place markers,” Cr Williams said.

“Significant background work has already taken place on the best locations for the statements, as well as community consultation undertaken in 2018 to inform the artist’s project brief.

“Proposed locations, which will be part of the next stage of community engagement, are Cabarita Park at Amity Point (Pulan Pulan) and near the pedestrian crossing at the top of Mooloomba Road, Point Lookout (Mooloomba) where there is currently a small information hut.

“It will be exciting to see what Belinda and Delvene create, merging their own inspirations with those expressed by the community.

Divisional Councillor for North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) Peter Mitchell said concept designs for the place markers were expected to go out to the community mid-year, while the works would be installed later in the year.

“These place markers will have the potential to become iconic statements, attract visitors and be the subject of many tourists’ and locals’ selfie moments sent around the world, increasing knowledge of the island and the Quandamooka stories behind the sculptures.”

QYAC CEO Cameron Costello said the new place markers would evoke a powerful sense of the vibrant and deep connections Quandamooka people have to Minjerribah.

“These place markers will acknowledge the depths of history etched into the fabric of Mooloomba and Pulan Pulan, an experience that extends from the contemporary moment and into deep time,” he said.

“While Quandamooka people already read this landscape and its marks, these new place markers will allow visitors, residents and strangers to better understand the ancestral connections between people and place, to be poetically expressed by artists who are of this place.”

Acting Tourism Industry Development Minister Di Farmer said the place markers project was one of many supported by the Queensland Government’s $24.75 million economic transition strategy to support the island’s economy as it transitions from sand mining at the end of 2019.

“We’re committed to delivering projects that will create jobs for locals and stimulate the economy on North Stradbroke Island – this initiative does just that,” she said.

“These place markers, created by two outstanding local artists, will be stunning entry points into the rich history of the Quandamooka people on the island for visitors and locals alike.”

Funding for the place markers is from the State Government’s North Stradbroke Island Economic Transition Strategy.

For more information visit Redland City Council’s Your Say website

Redland Bay on show in Harrow Season 2

May 9, 2019

Redlands Coast is set to again be showcased to a global audience when Harrow Season 2 – a 10-part Australian crime drama series – premieres on Sunday 12 May at 8.40pm on ABC TV.

Harrow is a crime drama series, made by Hoodlum Entertainment for ABC Australia and Disney-owned ABC Studios International. The series has been supported by Screen Queensland.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said that four Harrow cast members including Welsh star and lead actor Ioan Gruffudd, who plays Dr Daniel Harrow, and Jolene Anderson (All Saints, Home and Away) as well as 55 crew were on location filming at Redland Bay for episode two for a day in January.

“Film-friendly Redlands Coast was fortunate to welcome the cast and crew of Harrow including lead actor Ioan Gruffudd to Cleveland for Season 1 in November 2017,” Cr Williams said.

“I’m pleased that Hoodlum Entertainment has again recognised the versatility of Redlands Coast’s naturally wonderful locations and that Redland Bay was a location of choice for its second season of Harrow.”

“Redlands Coast community groups that directly benefitted from the filming of Harrow Season 2 included the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association Redland Bay and Redland Bay Amateur Fishing Club,” Cr Williams said.

Harrow Season 2 Executive Producer Nathan Mayfield said: “We look forward to filming here every season – there are so many places to explore, most of which have never been seen on TV before. A lot of crew live in Redlands so it’s great to have an opportunity to work in our backyard and show off what the area has to offer”.

Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira said Harrow Season 2 created approximately 300 jobs for Queensland cast and crew as well as 800 extras and provided three training opportunities for new and emerging practitioners across editing, writing and the camera department.

“We are committed to investing in Queensland’s screen industry and home-grown productions that provide economic, employment and training opportunities for our community and strengthen our local capability to create world-class screen content for global audiences,” Ms Vieira said.

Harrow was co-created by writer Stephen M. Irwin (Australia Day, Wake in Fright, Secret & Lies) and Leigh McGrath (Australia Day, Secrets & Lies, Strange Calls), and was again produced by Brisbane-based Hoodlum Entertainment’s Tracey Robertson and Nathan Mayfield.

Harrow Season 2 synopsis

The brilliant, unorthodox pathologist Dr Daniel Harrow is back. After surviving an attempted murder, Harrow gets back to work solving baffling cases, all the while on a very personal mission that cuts closer to home than ever before.

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